Futsalroos commence training in Honiara ahead of Game 1 vs Solomon Islands | Football Australia

This series marks the first time that four-time FIFA Futsal World Cup attendees Solomon Islands are hosting an international futsal fixture on home soil, made possible by the construction of Friendship Hall and other high performance facilities for the 2023 Pacific Games.

Goalkeepers Aaron Yu and Domenic Badolato were put through their paces by Goalkeeping Coach and former Futsalroo Peter Spathis, before the remainder of the group arrived for a morning training session.

Badolato – having been one of the first players arriving at Friendship Hall for training – was very complimentary of the facilities.

“The first look at Friendship Hall for us is obviously something that’s really exciting,” he said. “We didn’t really know what to expect but being here, it’s an amazing facility.

“We’re super stoked and excited about the opportunity to make history and have the first international futsal match played here at home for the Solomons. They’re an amazing opposition so we’re really looking forward to the test and playing here in front of a home crowd for them.

“We always look forward to games against the Solomons. We’ve built up over many years an amazing relationship on and off the court. So we’re really grateful to have this opportunity that PacificAus Sports has given us.”

There are expected to be a large group of supporters at Friendship Hall for each of the three games. Badolato said that he was “very much” looking forward to playing in that kind of atmosphere.

“Playing in front of Solomons home crowd, it’s going to be something that’s really good for some of our young boys coming in who haven’t experienced that as well, and that buzz,” he explained, “but for all of us – it’s the best opportunity to play these international